NewsBytes

HAL to produce Russian SJ-100 civil aircraft

India and Russia have firmed up a joint collaboration to produce a twin-engine narrow-body passenger aircraft for short-haul flights in line with growing strategic ties between the two countries. State-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL) reached an agreement with Russia's Public Joint Stock Company United Aircraft Corporation (PJSC-UAC) for production of SJ-100 aircraft. It was signed in Moscow on Monday. It will be the first such project to produce a passenger aircraft in India. As on date, more than 200 SJ-100 aircraft have been produced and are being operated by more than 16 commercial airline operators. "SJ-100 will be the game changer for short-haul connectivity under the UDAN scheme in India. Under this arrangement, HAL will have the rights to manufacture SJ-100 aircraft for domestic customers," the Indian aerospace major said. The pact was signed in presence of HAL's Chairman and Managing Director DK Sunil and PJSC-UAC Director General Vadim Badekha.

Air India Express looks to induct 20-24 aircraft in 2026

Air India's low-cost arm, Air India Express, is expecting to induct 20 to 24 aircraft in the fleet in the next calendar year, a top airline executive said on Tuesday. Air India and Air India Express together currently have a fleet of 282 aircraft, of which as many as 110 planes, comprising Airbus 320/ 321, Boeing 737 and 737 MAX, are with the low-cost arm. "We are looking at about 20 to 24 aircraft in the next calendar year," Air India Managing Director Aloke Singh said here at an event to showcase the first retrofitted aircraft of Air India Express. He, however, said that these deliveries would depend on the supply chain and how the production line at the Boeing manufacturing facility progresses. Singh said that all the 50 white-tail Boeing 737-8 are expected to be retrofitted into a single-economy-class configuration by mid next year. Air India Express had taken the delivery of the first B737-Max in 2023 when it also launched its refreshed brand identity with a new livery. These B 737-8 are part of the then 470 aircraft order placed by the Air India Group with both Boeing Co and Airbus. The 470 aircraft order-- included 50 white-tail B 737 Max.

Cyclone 'Montha' destroys crops in 1.76 lakh hectares across Andhra

Standing crops spread over 38,000 hectares and horticulture crops in 1.38 lakh hectares were destroyed in Andhra Pradesh due to the impact of the severe cyclonic storm 'Montha', the CMO said on Tuesday. The cyclone, which is expected to make landfall south of Kakinada tonight, has affected large parts of the state. 'Montha' means a fragrant flower in the Thai language. "Due to the impact of the cyclone, heavy rains across the state destroyed standing crops in 38,000 hectares and horticulture crops in 1.38 lakh hectares," said a press release from the chief minister's office, citing preliminary estimates. The cyclone is expected to impact 403 mandals across 22 districts, prompting the state government to set up 488 control rooms at the mandal level. Nearly 76,000 people have been shifted to relief camps, and 219 medical camps have been set up at various locations, it added.

Microsoft, OpenAI reach new deal valuing OpenAI at $500 billion

Microsoft and OpenAI reached a deal to allow the ChatGPT maker to restructure itself into a public benefit corporation, valuing OpenAI at $500 billion and giving it more freedom in its business operations. The deal removes a major constraint on raising capital for OpenAI that has existed since 2019, when it signed a deal with Microsoft that gave the tech giant rights over much of OpenAI's work in exchange for costly cloud computing services needed to carry it out. As its ChatGPT service exploded in popularity, those limitations became a notable source of tension between the two companies. Microsoft will still hold a stake of about $135 billion, or 27%, in OpenAI Group PBC, which will be controlled by the OpenAI Foundation, a nonprofit, the companies said.  The Redmond, Washington-based firm has invested $13.8 billion in OpenAI, with Tuesday's deal implying that Microsoft had generated a return of nearly ten times its investment.

Green tribunal restricts daily tourist, horse numbers

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on Kufri-Mahasu trail

In a major step toward reviving Kufri’s ailing ecology, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has imposed strict daily limits on tourist and horse activity along the Kufri-Mahasu trail in Shimla district. The order, delivered on October 14, by Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr A Senthil Vel, allows only 293 horses and 2,232 tourists per day, based on the Cifuentes ecological methodology for carrying capacity. The decision follows growing concern over the degradation of the Kufri reserved forest, once celebrated for its pristine ski slopes and iconic presence in old Bollywood films. Over the years, unregulated horse rides, unscientific management and unchecked tourist inflow have turned the once-scenic hill station into an environmental hotspot. Mounds of horse dung littered the trails, with no system in place for safe disposal. This isn’t the first time the tribunal has intervened to protect Himachal’s fragile ecosystems. In 2014, it capped vehicle movement between Manali and Rohtang at 1,200 vehicles per day. With this latest directive for Kufri, the NGT has once again underscored that tourism cannot come at the cost of the Himalayas’ environmental survival.